STRESS! 50 Signs and Symptoms and a free gift

Help identify and deal with stress

Reactions to stress are stored in the mind and body, they shape our perceptions and view of the world.

Stressed and tense

Constant repetition of the fight, flight and collapse response takes its toll on the immune system and leaves us susceptible to illness, disease. Similarly mental responses to stress include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and phobias.

Therefore self-care on more than just one level is vital to our health.

More importantly, finding ways of controlling our reactions to stress mentally and physically, rather than allowing it to control us, is essential to being a well being.

I should know I’ve been a stress management expert for many years and my clients know that even one small change makes a huge difference to the quality of life and can help you cope better.

50 Signs of Stress:

…And also the solutions to combat stress and freegifts to help you deal with it.

Psychological signs:

Feeling angry

Anxious, apprehensive, frightened, fearful

Excessive feelings of shame or embarrassment

Constant Cynicism

Depressed or generally low

Guilty

Helpless, out of control

Experiencing intrusive thoughts or images

Day-dreaming more

Experiencing loss of confidence

Mood swings

Nightmares

Obsessive thoughts

Reduced self-esteem

Suicidal thoughts

Thinking the future is bleak

Unable to concentrate

Worrying more

Physical signs:

Breathlessness

Backaches

Constipation or diarrhoea

Change to menstrual cycle

Frequent colds or other infections

Feeling faint or fainting

Headaches or migraines

Indigestion

Muscle twitches

Palpitations

Rapid weight change

Skin complaints

Sweating or clammy hands

Tightness or pain in chest

Thrush or cystitis

Vague aches or pains

Increased tiredness or fatigue

Behavioural signs:

Accident-proneness

Aggressive or passive behaviour

Clenched fists or jaws

Comfort eating or loss of appetite

Compulsive or impulsive behaviour

‘Checking’ rituals

Disturbed sleep patterns

Eating/talking/walking quickly

Increased alcohol or caffeine consumption

Irritability

Poor time management

Reduced work performance

Smoking more

Withdrawal from supportive relationships

Too busy to relax

Stress management is something that has to be built into and made part of each day.

breathing

Furthermore, repetition is the mother of all skill and stress management requires practise.

You wouldn’t expect to go to the gym now and then to have a strong, toned body and it’s the same with maintaining a calm, relaxed state in the face of stressful events and triggers.

Firstly you have to know the difference between stressed and calm. Practise a Progressive Relaxation. Do it Now!

Secondly repeat this as often as possible so that you train and engrain the right responses to stress.

Finally, stop the stress reaction more quickly by recognising tension and stress as it’s creeping in. Consciously pay attention to that knot in your shoulder or tightness in your neck, use it as a trigger to start the relaxation response.

Because stress increases when we forget to breathe properly humming and whistling will help you to breathe better. A whistle or hum is effectively an exhalation.

Try it now, you’ll notice that you take a bigger, slightly longer inhalation after you’ve whistled or hummed. Increased breath means more energy and a calmer state and better equanimity of mind.

Most importantly reprogram your mind to combat stress while you sleep. The Stress Free With Relaxation program allows your subconscious mind to absorb positive suggestions and counter daytime stress triggers.

Maximum effort required, put in earbuds as you drop off to sleep. Return On Investment = Feeling rested and refreshed with a positive state of mind and wellbeing. Effortless!